ORLANDO - Florida State hopes to hear good news when Cardinal Newman (West Palm Beach, Fla.) wide receiver Travis Rudolph announces his college choice at the Under Armour All-American game on January 2.

The four-star prospect has hinted that Alabama will be his choice, but is all that talk just a smoke screen?

The country's No. 5 rated receiver caught everyone by surprise earlier this week when he announced that Alabama was his leader shortly after his official visit there. FSU was long considered the favorite, followed by Alabama, then Auburn.

"Visiting other campuses and picking the school I feel the most comfortable with is the deciding factor with the decision," he said. "Playing time has nothing to do with it. Alabama is my leader right now, then Florida State, Auburn and Florida. I would say they (Alabama) are the pretty heavy favorite."

Despite favoring the Tide, Rudolph gave high praise to the Seminoles and their coaching staff.

"My feelings about FSU are great. I have a great relationship with all the coaches at Florida State. I really think highlyof Coach (Jimbo) Fisher, who I could tell really takes time to watch my highlights," said Rudolph. "I think very highly of FSU because its offense is doing great, it's not just a one dimensional offense where they do just one thing."

Florida State's wide receivers coach Lawrence Dawsey is Rudolph's main recruiter. He's been recruiting the Rivals100 receiver since he was a sophomore.

"Coach Dawsey, I see him as an older version of me. It's not a rah rah type coach or downgrade other programs. He is a very humbled coach that is very detailed with what he talks about with technique from his receivers and he demands perfection as a blocker and a route runner in the FSU offense. He's the type of guy you want to be around all the time."

Why do the 'Noles trail the Crimson Tide even with the high praise?

"With Alabama leading, FSU didn't do anything wrong," Rudolph explained. "As of right now, Alabama is the leader, but that could change being here (at the Under Armour practices), so I still need to think about it."